"They've already done their test with senior drivers so being banned from a young driver test probably isn't much of a sanction," he told Sky.

Mercedes, however, was not only apologetic as it charged hard against the Jean Todt-led FIA's apparent double standards in failing to rebuke Ferrari.

Indeed, it emerged on Thursday that test driver Pedro de la Rosa was not the only driver involved in Ferrari's post-Bahrain test with a 2011 car at Barcelona, but that Felipe Massa was also in action.

"They (Ferrari) are not criticised but apparently we are," said Mercedes' lawyer.

"If we did these nefarious things to the fundamental principles (of sporting fairness) it cannot be the case that Ferrari didn't also do them," he insisted.

F1's tyre supplier Pirelli, meanwhile, indicated it was furious at the FIA for the charges.

"Pirelli cannot accept and will not accept that its image and the quality of its products and its credibility be tarnished because of a case which is not admissible and which is unfounded," the Italian marque's lawyer said.

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